The gospel for today (Lk 7:36-50) tells of Jesus encounter with “a sinful woman” at a dinner party to which He was a guest.  It was at the invitation of a certain Simon the Pharisee that Jesus went to his house for the meal.  The woman, finding out about this, goes also and bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and pours fragrant ointment on them as well.  Simon disapproves of the woman, because of her past, in his thoughts.  Jesus, knowing this, asks him who loves more: the man forgiven a large debt or the man forgiven only a fraction of that amount?  Simon judges the latter, and Jesus approves.  He then commends the woman for her greeting, which Simon did not come close to giving Jesus.  To the amazement of the guests Jesus says the words above and then tells the woman to go in peace as her faith has saved her.  Do we, like the woman, show great love to Jesus for His forgiveness?  Maybe we think we are not “great sinners” like this woman, so the cases are apples and oranges.  All sin is abhorrent to God.  Unlike this woman, we have the benefit of knowing that Jesus died to save us all and took every sin, mortal or venial, upon Himself.  By His stripes we are healed.  What do we not owe the Lord for what He has done for us?  Total devotion is the only acceptable goal for us.  This manifests itself on earth on how we treat others.  To love others as God loves them is that for which we are to strive.